22.07.2020
This week’s Calico tribute was made possible with the help of Angie Linder (Detroit Techno Militia).
This week’s mix is a very special one. When Calico unfortunately passed, I wanted to do something to honor his memory the best way I know how – through music. The hour long mix you will listen to is from the Detroit Techno Militia Backstreet at Large live stream takeover on June 27th 2020, where Jon was a guest on the lineup. It will take you on a journey through the beats, a clear reflection of Jon’s ability to find those underground tracks and mix them together seamlessly.
Jon’s history and background was extensive, and he was widely loved within our Detroit electronic music scene. He brought so many people together through his countless gigs, belief in others to succeed, and contagious smile. Personally, he believed in me as a promoter and knew I was capable of so much more. I will always value the imprint he left on my life, as will many others.
I hope you enjoy his tribute mix, now on SoundCloud.
The following bio was written by Angie Linder.
Having been surrounded by the standard 4/4 sounds of techno, house and electro in the Detroit electronic scene, influenced by the gritty industrial sounds of groups like Meat Beat Manifesto, Front 242 and Nine Inch Nails, and always searching for something different, led Calico to find the bass heavy abstract sounds of drum & bass and dubstep.
Attending his first underground events in 1996 at Detroit’s famed Packard plant and The Warehouse changed his life forever, and led him into a whole new world. Beginning in 1999, after a few years of attending events and seeing what there was to offer, Calico began helping promote and present events with various crews around the city, helping to bring some of the biggest names in the game. 2004 saw the start of his own mission with The Cat Thieves where he made it a point to focus on events that featured multiple genres, but always pushing heavy bass sounds as well as featuring some of the best from the local scene.
Calico had a passion for exposing people to new music. He always seemed to stay two steps ahead with new music and new artists he’d want to bring to Detroit. He was passionate about helping new artists cut their teeth in the scene. He never stuck to one genre either and worked with just about every crew in the city. His fire was undeniable. As a DJ, he was meticulous in his blends, serious behind the decks and relentless in his pursuit to find new music and bone rattling bass.
In his personal life, Calico was a lover and advocate for animals. His dogs were his world. He had an affinity for pit bulls and cared for several in his lifetime. He had recently adopted Ripley and took her everywhere with him. He was a fantastic carpenter with a fine attention for detail when it came to working on a project. He could build and create anything you would want in your house. A true woodworking master. He was very well known for his ability to restore hardwood floors, earning him the nickname “Hardwood Johnny”. He was also called Vern by those who were close to him. He loved his family and his friends and would do anything for them. If you needed help, all you had to do was call him. He touched a lot of lives here on this planet and he loved with the fire of 1000 flames. We were all so lucky to have him in our lives.
Rest in Music Jon. You are so missed.
October 12th, 1978 – July 3rd, 2020